C. FAQ – Application
3. Canvas
Q. Can inkAID be applied to artist’s canvas?
A. Yes, all inkAID™ products are compatible with both raw and gessoed canvas. If you’d rather not coat your own canvas, inkAID also offers artist’s canvas precoated with inkAID™ White Matte Precoat. These canvases come in a variety of sizes and weights; please visit our Products page for more information. Artists using canvas should be aware of the cartridge head clearance of their printers, as serious damage can be done to your printer if you try to feed media thicker than it can accommodate.
Q. How should I apply inkAID to canvas so that it doesn’t warp and buckle?
A. The best way to coat canvas to keep it completely flat is to mount the uncoated canvas on stretcher bars 6” wider in both directions than your final stretched canvas will be. You’ll lose those extra six inches when you trim and mount the printed piece). Apply a coat of gesso to the canvas. Once dry, apply two coats of whichever inkAID™ product you choose, allowing the surface to dry a full 24 hours between coats. Trim the canvas off the front surface of the stretcher bars after it’s completely dry, and be sure to adjust your printer cartridge head height before printing.
Q. Will I be able to paint acrylic or oil paint over a print on inkAID coated canvas?
A. If you’ve used inkAID™ White Matte precoat on your canvas, the inkjet print is waterproof and can be painted over with acrylic or oil paints. An inkjet print on canvas coated with a clear inkAID™ product is water soluble and may move with acrylic. Use a spray-on acrylic varnish to stabilize the surface before you try to add acrylics or oil paint.
Q. How should I store my canvas coated with inkAID?
A. Roll the canvas (surface facing out) around a 3-inch cardboard tube, then wrap paper around the canvas. Keep the canvas in a cool, dry, dark place until you’re ready to use it.
